River City Jaguars

The Vancouver Vipers (formerly known as the Jaguars) are a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior A ice hockey team playing in the Northern Pacific Hockey League (NORPAC). The league helps 16-20 year olds develop hockey skills in a professional environment while maintaining their amateur status for college eligibility. The team plays their home games at the Mountain View Ice Arena in Vancouver Washington USA in the Fall of 2010, previously the team played at Valley Ice Arena in Beaverton, Oregon.^[1][2] The franchise joined the Norpac in 2004 when the league was a Jr. B league, in 2007 the league and member teams were granted Tier III Jr A status by USA Hockey, the governing body for ice hockey in the United States.

Alumni

The Vipers franchise has had a number of alumni move on to collegiate programs and higher levels of junior ice hockey in the United States and Canada.^[3] On November 27, 2005, the then Jaguars lost a player, Jonathan Medina from California, who was on his second season with the team, in an accident. The Jaguars/Vipers franchise in honor of Medina has retired his jersey and number. On April 13, 2010 the franchise saw its first Alumn to sign with an NHL team, when Jake Newton signed a 3 year entry level contract with the Anaheim Ducks.^[4][5]

Team Affiliates

The Vancouver Vipers (NorPac - Junior A Tier III) have affiliated themselves with the Alaska Avalanche (NAHL - Tier II) and the Tri-City Storm (USHL - Tier I) to further player growth and development.

References

External links

• Vipers Website
• [Vipers Facebook Page]
• Northern Pacific Hockey League Website